Stupendous Semester in Santiago! Past Review

By A student (Political Science and Government, Spanish, North Carolina State University / NC State) - abroad from 07/23/2014 to 12/05/2014 with

IES Abroad: Santiago - Study in Santiago

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I learned so much about myself-I am much more open to new things and cultures now that I have lived abroad. I can relate with a whole entire other group of people and I think that is really special.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?
* Food:	The food in Chile is actually much blander than the food in its neighboring countries, which I was thankful for.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?	I actually had emergency gallbladder removal surgery and was incredibly happy with the healthcare system in Chile! Plus, my international insurance covered the whole cost of my surgery which took a lot of stress out of the situation!
* Safety:
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	Yes

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget? (1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)	Our program cost covered 3 meals a day, every day of the week.
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	I liked to shop, so I spent more than others. I would say I spent around 30 dollars a week.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Bring lots of American money with you. The exchange rate is better when you exchange in Chile rather than in the US.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language? 0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language	The whole program was in Spanish and my host family did not speak English. It was challenging at first but it forced me to learn and I couldn't be happier!
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program?	Beginner
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program?	Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure?	340
How many hours per day did you use the language?	10+
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants?	Listen to Chilean speakers on Youtube, itunes, tv shows, etc. Chilean Spanish is very different than the Spanish spoken in the US.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Host Family
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Host Family
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Local Students Americans International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?	The IES Staff My host family Traveling!
* What could be improved?	More classes at the local university
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	Not to pack so much!

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.	The Avid Adventurer The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Human Rights
Course Department:	IES
Instructor:	Pablo Fierro
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	This course was very challenging in a way that made me want to learn more about it. It really helped me to be confident in my knowledge of Spanish and to be able to participate in class discussions.
Credit Transfer Issues: